SIO OCEANS 2003 PRESS RELEASE

Note: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is relaying this release as a courtesy to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO). NSF director, Rita Colwell, will speak at the conference. Queries and responses, except those related to Dr. Colwell, should be directed to the contacts listed below, not to NSF.

SAN DIEGO-The world's largest-ever ocean science and technology exhibition and conference will convene September 22-25 at the Town & Country Hotel in San Diego. This major event, Oceans2003, presents a unique convergence of marine science, technology, engineering, industry, policy, and education.

John Marburger, Director, President's Office of Science and Technology Policy

Rita Colwell, Director, National Science Foundation

Sean O'Keefe, Administrator, NASA

Admiral James Watkins, Chair, President's Commission on Ocean Policy

Leon Panetta, Chair, Pew Oceans Commission

Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher, Administrator, NOAA

Other confirmed speakers include Patricio Bernal, International Oceanographic Commission, and the directors of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The session continues Thursday afternoon, broadening to explore the future of ocean science from an international perspective.

SCRIPPS CENTENNIAL:

Oceans2003 coincides with the Centennial Celebration of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, which includes two public showings of the San Diego Underwater Film Festival (Sunday and Monday evenings at the Town & Country Hotel, http://www.sdups.com), and an SIO history track throughout the conference. For more information on the centennial, see http://scripps100.ucsd.edu (media contact: Cindy Clark, cclark@ucsd.edu, 858-534-1294).

Press registration packets may be picked up in the press room by showing a picture ID and press credential. The press room will be located in Terrace Salon Two at the Town & Country Hotel, and will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23 through Thursday, Sept. 25.

There will be an early-bird welcome reception for all conference attendees on Monday, Sept. 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Atlas Foyer of the Town & Country Hotel Convention Center.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Members of the press can receive the discounted conference rate ($99 for Garden Rooms) at the Town & Country Hotel. Register through the Oceans2003 Web site, http://oceans2003.org/, or call the hotel directly at 800-772-8527 (be sure to mention that you are with the Oceans2003 conference to secure the discounted rate).

SPONSORS:

Oceans2003 is sponsored by the Marine Technology Society, IEEE-OES, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and the University of California-San Diego. Participating sponsors include the American Geophysical Union and Acoustical Society of America.

-NSF-

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